Category Manager - Australia

About Whatnot

Whatnot is the leading live shopping marketplace in North America and Europe, expanding rapidly into Australia. It enables users to buy, sell, and explore products across diverse categories like trading cards, fashion, electronics, and live plants. The company is redefining live commerce in the West, creating new industry standards with no existing template to follow. Operating as a remote, co-located team, Whatnot values speed, user-centric focus, and impactful work, with hubs across multiple countries including Australia.

Role Overview

As a founding team member in Australia, you will collaborate closely with the General Manager to establish and grow Whatnot’s presence. Your primary ownership will be launching and scaling a product category tailored to the Australian marketplace. You will strategize category growth, build a seller community, foster relationships with influencers, and lead initiatives to create engaging moments both online and offline.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the launch and development of a specific category within Australia, identifying innovative ways to scale.
• Collaborate with the GM to decide subsequent categories for expansion.
• Build strong connections with influencers and execute activations that bring their audiences onto Whatnot's platform.
• Organize and manage both virtual and in-person events around featured products and fandoms.
• Develop a comprehensive network of sellers, including resellers, influencers, and shops.
• Onboard high-potential sellers and maintain day-to-day communications and relationships.
• Advise sellers on strategies to grow their businesses within Whatnot, fostering the emergence of top Australian sellers.
• Maintain close engagement with both sellers and buyers to understand ecosystem needs and relay insights to the product team.
• Utilize data-driven insights to craft and implement strategies that enhance category and overall marketplace growth.
• Quickly ramp up independent strategic projects across categories and partnerships as necessary.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum four years experience in fast-paced, client-facing roles such as Strategy Consulting, Private Equity, or tech partnerships focused on high-output environments.
• Demonstrated experience in business development or partner-facing functions, managing pipelines of targets effectively.
• Adaptability and resourcefulness to thrive in a dynamic startup environment with minimal guidance and readiness to pivot priorities as needed.
• A strategic and innovative mindset capable of transforming research and data into actionable growth plans.
• Passion for creator communities or knowledge of Whatnot’s product verticals (e.g., vintage apparel, collectibles) is highly valued.
• Experience at high-growth startups, marketplaces, or platforms dedicated to creators is a plus.
• SQL skills considered beneficial.
• Experience with online marketplace buying and selling is an advantage.

Employee Benefits

• Generous holiday and leave policies.
• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and dependents.
• Support for remote work including home office setup and monthly internet/cell phone allowance.
• Care and wellness related allowances including childcare, family planning, and wellness monthly stipends.
• Retirement savings supported via compliant superannuation contributions.
• Paid parental leave program with gradual return to work option aligned with governmental policies.
• Dedicated app usage budget to encourage deep familiarity with Whatnot’s platform.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity

Whatnot fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and adheres to equal opportunity principles, prohibiting discrimination on any legally protected basis including race, gender, age, disability, or veteran status.

Compensation

The role offers a salary range from A$150,000 to A$200,000 annually.